Xiaoxia Dai

Research Interest

Xiaoxia Dai is dedicated to studying microbial-microbial interactions in the rumen, with a particular focus on the complex cross-feeding dynamics between rumen methanogens and bacteria. Employing a range of culture-dependent and independent methods, including shotgun sequencing, RNA-seq, and small RNA sequencing techniques, she delves into microbial ecosystems to isolate functional bacteria. Additionally, her expertise extends to employing multi-omics approaches to analyze host-microbial interactions, with a specialization in understanding the early establishment of the microbiome and its influence on the adult microbiome. Her primary goal is to uncover the mechanisms governing the interplay within the microbiome and its relationship with the host. Through this research, Xiaoxia aims to contribute to the precise control of environmental footprints and the improvement of animal production practices.

Education

· Ph.D. in Animal Science, University of Florida 2019

· Joint M.S. in Environmental Science, Aarhus University (Denmark) 2014

· Joint M.S. in Animal Science, Wageningen University (Netherlands) 2014

· B.S. in Animal Science/ Law, Southwest University (China) 2012

Research Experience

· Researcher Jan 2024 – present

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan

o Focus:

1) Cross-feeding dynamics between rumen methanogens and bacteria.

2) How lipopolysaccharide on the pathogenesis of subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows

· Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Research Fellow July 2022 – 2023

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Milan

o Focus:

Roles of lipopolysaccharide on the pathogenesis of subacute ruminal acidosis in dairy cows

· Joint Research Scientist November 2020 - present

Veterinary Clinical Genetics, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London

o Focus:

1). Aetiopathogenesis and genomic architecture of resistance to claw horn disruption lesions in dairy cattle.

2). "One Health Poultry Hub": Omics based characterization of host genetics and gut microbiome composition of different breeds of chicken with pathogen abundance.

· Postdoctoral Researcher 2019-2020

U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center, Dairy Forage Research Unit

Advisor: Dr Ken Kalscheur:

o Focus: Relationship between feed efficiency and ruminal microbiome, digestibility, metabolic activity and genetics of lactating cows fed high- and low-starch diets.